The Curious Case of Richtofen’s Blood Vials: A Deep Dive
Why did Richtofen need the blood vials? The short answer is: to manipulate the very fabric of reality and ensure the survival of Primis after the defeat of the Shadowman. In the chaotic, multiverse-spanning narrative of Call of Duty Zombies, blood vials serve a critical purpose, acting as anchors and conduits for powerful forces. Specifically, Richtofen’s blood, imbued with unique properties, was essential to create portals allowing the Primis crew to escape the collapsing universe and transition to a new one. After the Shadowman’s destruction, the old universe was reset, and without the blood vials, Primis would not have been able to anchor their existence in the new reality established by Dr. Monty. This was not simply a case of needing a ride—it was about maintaining existence itself.
The Significance of Blood Vials
Beyond Simple Healing
It’s easy to dismiss the vials as mere healing potions, an in-game equivalent to the Estus Flask from Dark Souls or the Moon Grass from Demon’s Souls. While they do serve this purpose, their significance extends far beyond immediate health restoration. In the lore, the vials contain unique blood that acts as a kind of “quantum anchor”. This anchor is essential for anyone wishing to exist outside of the rules that govern reality. They also serve as a means of transporting individuals across dimensions and timelines. It’s why Primis Richtofen takes his prized blood vials away from himself, stating there was “no need for insurance plans anymore” once their purpose of creating the portals was fulfilled. The vials, therefore, are not just tools, but fundamental keys to navigating the complex multiversal landscape.
The Power of Richtofen’s Blood
Richtofen’s blood, particularly, is imbued with unique properties directly tied to his complex history and connection to the Aether. His manipulation of the Aether across multiple timelines, and his exposure to its power, granted him this ability. His blood became a vital component for creating the dimensional portals. It’s his specific blood that holds the power to bend the rules of reality, allowing his team and alternate versions of himself to cross the boundaries between dimensions. The vials are therefore not just about blood, but about Richtofen’s unique imprint on reality itself.
The Blood Vials and the Aether Story
Post-Shadowman Survival
The defeat of the Shadowman marked the end of the established Aether story arc and ushered in the need for a new universe managed by Dr. Monty. However, this reset was dangerous. Without something to hold onto, Primis would cease to exist. It is in this context that the blood vials became paramount as they served as a sort of “passport” to existence in the new reality. Richtofen’s blood created the necessary doorways, ensuring the survival of the team and setting the stage for further events.
A Sacrifice for a New Beginning
In Blood of the Dead, Richtofen’s sacrifice was ultimately a necessary step. It allowed a post-Revelations Richtofen to emerge and guide the new narrative. The blood vials played a crucial role in this as well, facilitating their journey into a new reality while also creating a way for the old Primis team to move on. This complex web of events underscores the importance of the vials in the larger story of the Aether.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is the Aether?
The Aether is a powerful, transdimensional realm that is a source of both great power and immense corruption. It is the source of the zombie virus and many other supernatural phenomena in the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. The Aether also functions as a medium for different timelines and realities, connecting them through rifts and portals.
2. How did Richtofen become obsessed with Agartha?
Richtofen’s obsession with Agartha, a mythical hidden city, stems from his experiences with the Aether. His exposure to its power led him to believe that it held the secrets to understanding the multiverse. This obsession was compounded by the Dark Aether corruption, which gradually eroded his sanity.
3. Was Richtofen a good or bad character?
Richtofen is a complex character, often morally ambiguous. He is a brilliant scientist but also an incurable sociopath. He is not above torture, experimentation, or sacrificing others to achieve his goals. While he may have moments of apparent altruism, they are always intertwined with his own selfish desires. His actions can be interpreted as both villainous and heroic, depending on the context and perspective.
4. Who was the “Red Baron” Richtofen was based on?
Richtofen’s name and persona draw inspiration from Manfred von Richthofen, the famous German World War I flying ace known as the “Red Baron.” However, elements of his character, particularly his ruthless scientific experimentation, also suggest a link to Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, the “Angel of Death.”
5. Why did Nikolai, Dempsey, and Takeo hate Richtofen?
There is a varying degree of animosity between the characters, but it is largely due to Richtofen’s actions. Nikolai hates Richtofen for creating the zombies, while Ultimis Dempsey has a mutual dislike of Richtofen for his callous actions. Nikolai and Takeo also have animosity toward each other. However, the Primis versions tend to be less antagonistic.
6. Why did Richtofen need multiple vials of blood?
Multiple vials are necessary for the purpose of testing and research within the context of the story. In real life, multiple tubes of blood are needed for testing, backup, and varying amounts are needed for different medical assessments. Richtofen’s situation is similar, as the vials are used for both experimentation and to produce the required amount for the portals.
7. Who is Dr. Monty?
Dr. Monty is a powerful being who controls the new reality created after the destruction of the old multiverse. He claims to have invented free will but is ultimately revealed to be corrupted by the Dark Aether. He acts as both a helper and an antagonist, manipulating the characters to fit his narrative.
8. Why was Richtofen sacrificed in Blood of the Dead?
Richtofen sacrificed himself to break the cycle and allow a new version of himself to emerge. This sacrifice was necessary to set in motion the events needed to defeat Dr. Monty. This act was a significant part of the ending for the Aether arc.
9. How is the Dark Aether related to the Aether?
The Dark Aether is essentially the corrupted version of the Aether. It is a place of immense power and darkness that has corrupted both Dr. Monty and Richtofen at different points in the story.
10. Was the Aether storyline concluded in Black Ops 4?
Yes, the main Aether story concluded in Black Ops 4 with the map Tag Der Toten. However, the narrative continues in Black Ops Cold War and Vanguard as part of the Dark Aether storyline.
11. Why can Samuel Stuhlinger hear Richtofen?
Samuel Stuhlinger is unique because he has consumed zombie flesh and has schizophrenia, allowing him to hear Richtofen when others cannot. This connection to Richtofen is unique to him and tied to his experiences with the undead.
12. Did the Red Baron really drop a wreath in real life?
While the Red Baron was a skilled and respected pilot, the dropping of wreaths is a somewhat mythologized event. A wreath was, however, dropped by his enemies in remembrance of his death.
13. Why did Richtofen dissect Maxis?
Richtofen dissected Maxis because he was infected with the zombie virus. He removed Maxis’ brain in an attempt to save him in the Origins map.
14. Why did Richtofen betray Maxis in the story?
Richtofen believed Maxis was distracted and unfit to lead Group 935. When Maxis failed to mass-produce the Wunderwaffe DG-2, Richtofen began to conspire against him.
15. Is Richtofen related to the historical Red Baron?
Yes, in the Call of Duty universe, Richtofen’s father is Major Albrecht Philipp Karl Julius Freiherr von Richthofen, who shares the same family name as the Red Baron, suggesting a possible familial relation and a connection to the historical German Baron.